Dan Cozzetto enters his first season as the Huskies’ offensive line after spending the last 13 seasons coaching offensive line and running backs at three different Pac-10 schools. The last three seasons, he coached at Oregon State. He also handles the field goal and PAT units.
Washington is the fourth Pac-10 institution where Cozzetto, a native of Spokane, Wash., has coached. When he joined Dennis Erickson’s OSU staff in 2000 it was to coach the Beavers’ running backs. Prior to the start of spring drills in 2001 he switched to coach tight ends and assisted with the coaching of the offensive line. Last season the Beavers led the Pac-10 in rushing at 148.7 yards per game. During Cozzetto’s first year at OSU, Beaver running back Ken Simonton earned All-America honors after rushing for 1,559 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Cozzetto, who was an assistant coach for Bruce Snyder at California from 1990 to 1992, followed Snyder to Arizona State when he was named the Sun Devils head coach. He was the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for the Sun Devils.
The ASU offense ranked fourth in the nation in 1996, averaging 492.5 yards per game. The Sun Devils were third in scoring, averaging 42.8 points per outing. In 1997, Cozzetto’s offense led the Pac-10 in rushing (193.8) and was fourth in total offense (406.5). Offensive linemen Kyle Murphy and Grey Ruegamer were first-team All-Pac-10, while Murphy was a third-team All-American by the Associated Press. Ruegamer was selected third-team All-American by The Sporting News. Cozzetto’s 1998 offense averaged 411.8 yards per game, the third straight season ASU had cracked the 400-yard mark. ASU averaged 259 yards per game passing, the most in school history.
While at California, Cozzetto was the offensive line coach for two seasons. His first year with the Bears resulted in the most productive year on the ground in 15 seasons, collecting 2,235 yards. Cozzetto’s offensive line was also responsible for Cal being only the second team in NCAA history to have two 1,000-yard rushers and a 2,000-yard passer on the same team.
Cozzetto’s coaching career began at his alma mater, Idaho, in 1979 as a graduate assistant working with linebackers under coach Jerry Davitch. After serving two years as a graduate assistant (1979-80), he moved into full-time status in 1981 as wide receiver and tight end coach. He coached wide receivers and tight ends until 1985 and then moved to the offensive line starting with the 1986 season. Additionally, he was also the special teams coordinator from 1983 until 1988.
During his final season at Idaho, 1989, Cozzetto served as offensive coordinator and Idaho led the nation in total offense in 1989, registering 495.9 yards per game. The Vandals were also No. 1 in passing offense (374.3) and No. 6 in scoring offense (35.1 points per game). All five of his offensive linemen at Idaho earned some type of all-conference recognition in both 1988 and ’89 with three receiving Division I-AA All-America status in ’88 and two in ’89. At Idaho, he worked under several head coaches, including Dennis Erickson (1982-85), Keith Gilbertson (1986-88) and John L. Smith (1989).
Cozzetto earned his undergraduate degrees in history and health and physical education from Idaho in 1979. He attended Spokane Falls Junior College from 1974-75. He earned two letters as a tight end of the football team. He played tight end, linebacker and offensive guard during his career at Idaho.
Cozzetto has tutored a number of standout players who have gone on to have careers in the National Football League. At Arizona State that group included quarterback Jake Plummer (Arizona Cardinals), offensive tackle Juan Roque (Detroit Lions), center Grey Ruegamer (New England), offensive tackle Marvel Smith (Pittsburgh Steelers), running back J.R. Redmond (New England Patriots), fullback Terrelle Smith (New Orleans Saints), offensive tackle Levi Jones (Cincinnati Bengals) and offensive tackle Victor Leyva (Cincinnati Bengals).
The list of standout players at California included All-American Tory Auzenne (Chicago Bears), Todd Steussie (Minnesota Vikings), Eric Mahlum (Indianapolis Colts) and Steve Gordon (San Francisco 49ers).
At Idaho he coached standouts such as offensive guard Mark Schlereth, wide receiver Eric Yarber and quarterback John Friesz.
At Idaho, Dan developed Mark Schlereth and Eric Yarber. Schlereth was a 13-year NFL veteran who played guard for the Redskins and Broncos and earned all-pro honors and three Super Bowl rings. Yarber went on to play receiver for the Redskins and win a Super Bowl. Another standout he coached was quarterback John Friesz (1989). Friesz played a total of 11 years in the NFL with San Diego Chargers, Washington Redskins, Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots.
He and his wife, Debbie, are the parents of four children, Adrian (27), Rachel (24), Ryan (19) and Tara (15). Last season Ryan was a redshirt freshman safety and punter on the Oregon State football.